Methods of manufacturing reclosable packages using transverse application of zipper closure

ABSTRACT

A method of making packages having a reclosable zipper closure on a vertical form, fill and seal process. The method includes providing a length of the zipper closure having a length same as the width of the resulting package. The ends of the length of zipper closure are sealed together prior to applying the zipper closure to the film web. The zipper construction is first applied and adhered to one half of the film web and then to the other half. A tamper-evident structure encasing the zipper closure may be included.

[0001] Priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) is claimed to provisionalapplication serial No. 60/178,584, filed Jan. 28, 2000, and entitled“Methods of Manufacturing Reclosable Packages Using TransverseApplication of Zipper Closure”. The complete disclosure of applicationNo. 60/178,584 is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] This disclosure concerns reclosable packages. In particular, thisdisclosure describes methods of manufacturing reclosable packages havinga zipper closure mechanism using vertical form, fill, and sealtechniques, and the packages made thereby.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Multitudes of consumable goods are available packaged in flexiblepackages such as plastic bags. Many goods that are not used completelywhen the package is initially opened rely on a zipper closure to reclosethe package and keep the remaining contents fresh. Examples ofconsumable goods that are often packaged in resealable and reclosablepackages, such as bags, with a zipper closure include potting soil,fertilizer, pet food, dog biscuits, vegetables, cereal and many otherfoods edible by humans.

[0004] Form, fill, and seal technology is known in the packagingindustry as a method to manufacture the resealable packages and topackage the consumable goods within those resealable packages.Improvements in this type of manufacturing process, and the packagesproduced, are desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0005] The present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing apackage, such as a flexible bag, having a resealable, reclosable zipperclosure mechanism by a vertical form, fill and seal process. Atamper-evident seal can be provided on and around the exterior of thezipper closure to provide evidence whether access has been gained to thezipper closure and the interior of the package.

[0006] In particular, the present disclosure relates to a vertical form,fill and seal process that manufactures the flexible package, fills thepackage with items, and seals the filled package. The zipper mechanismand seals are applied to the package preferably in the same process asfilling of the package.

[0007] The methods of this disclosure involve, in general, providing alength of a zipper closure construction having first and secondinterlocking closure members, pre-sealing together the ends of the firstand second closure members, and attaching the zipper closure to sidepanels as appropriate to provide a package. The zipper closure is cut tothe desired length, i.e., essentially the width of the package, prior toincorporation of the zipper closure with the film web that provides theside panels.

[0008] In particular, the present disclosure is directed to a method ofmanufacturing a reclosable package having a zipper closure construction.The method includes providing a zipper closure construction having afirst closure profile and a second closure profile, the closureconstruction having a length approximately equal to the width of theresulting package. The closure construction is attached to a first halfof a film web having a width approximately twice the width of theresulting package. The film web is folded and the edges of the film webare joined to form a seam; the closure construction is sealed to asecond half of the film web. After forming a bottom edge, the package isfilled and a top edge is made. A tamper-evident structure may beprovided at either the bottom edge or the top edge. In anotherembodiment, an internal tamper-evident structure, such as a web or apeel seal, may be provided.

[0009] The present disclosure also is directed to packages made by themethods disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flexible, reclosable packageshown with access available to the interior of the package;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible, reclosablepackage taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a side view of a flexible, reclosable package having atamper-evident structure;

[0013]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible, reclosablepackage taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and

[0014]FIG. 5 is a schematic, perspective view of a process of thepresent disclosure for producing flexible, reclosable packages similarto those depicted in FIGS. 1 through 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The process described herein produces and fills a reclosablepackage. In some embodiments, a tamper-evident structure, such as anexternal structure or an internal web or a peel seal is also provided bythe process described herein. The process of manufacturing the packagesis accomplished on a machine commonly referred to as a vertical formfill, and seal machine.

[0016] A flexible, reclosable package 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.Package 10 has polymeric film side panels 12 and 14 surrounding aninterior 11, as best seen in FIG. 2. A zipper closure arrangement 20having mating profiles to open and close (unseal and reseal) the mouth21 of package 10 extends across the width of package 10. Access isobtainable to interior 11 through mouth 21. The zipper closure 20 caninclude a variety of configurations and structures. Zipper closure 20can be configured in any known manner, for example, such as disclosed inU.S. Pat. Nos. 4,240,241; 4,246,288; and 4,437,293; each of which isincorporated by reference herein.

[0017] In FIGS. 1 and 2, zipper closure 20 has a first interlockingmating profile 22 and a second interlocking mating profile 24 whichdisengage and engage, as appropriate, to open and close package 10.Zipper closure 20 extends from first side edge 32 to second side edge 34at mouth 21. First and second mating profiles 22, 24 of zipper closure20 are attached to side panels 12, 14, respectively, by sealing flanges26, 28, as depicted in FIG. 2. Side panels 12, 14 extend along sidefirst and second mating profiles 22, 24 and in particular extend along,and past, upper flanges 27, 29 of first and second mating profiles 22,24, respectively; this is best seen in FIG. 2.

[0018] Package 10 includes three edges, side edges 32, 34 and bottomedge 36, that together with side panels 12, 14, form interior 11 ofpackage 10. In the particular arrangement shown, bottom edge 36 is abottom seal 31, formed by the application of heat and pressure to sidepanels 12, 14 to seal side panels 12, 14 together and create bottom seal31. Package 10 also has a top edge 30, which is the edge of package 10closest to mouth 21 and most distant from bottom edge 36. In FIG. 2, topedge 30 is the edge where side panels 12, 14 terminate. In someembodiments, top edge 30 may be where upper flanges 27, 29 terminate.The terms “top” and “bottom” are relative terms used in respect topackage 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is understood that package canbe oriented in different directions, so that, for example, top edge 30would not be at the top most portion of the figure but would bepositioned else where. However, no matter what orientation package 10 isin, top edge 30 is the edge of package 10 closest to mouth 21 and mostdistant from bottom edge 36.

[0019] In the embodiment depicted, the distance between first side edge32 and second side edge 34 is the width of package 10. Preferably, eachof first side edge 32 and second side edge 34 is a fold line betweenside panels 12, 14, which is formed when a single sheet of film materialis folded to form the two side panels 12, 14. Preferably, the singlesheet of film is sealed at seam 13, shown in phantom in FIG. 1; such aseam 13 is commonly referred to as a “fin seal”.

[0020] In FIGS. 3 and 4, a second embodiment of a package 10′ is shown.Package 10′ is similar to package 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 except thatpackage 10′ includes a tamper-evident structure 40 encasing zipperclosure 20. Package 10′ has a zipper closure 20 extending from a firstside edge 32 to a second side edge 34; the distance between side edges32, 34 is the width of package 10′. Similar to package 10 in FIGS. 1 and2, package 10′ includes three edges, side edges 32, 34 and bottom edge36, which together with side panels 12, 14, form the interior 11 ofpackage 10′. In the embodiment depicted, top edge 30′ of package 10′ isthe edge of package 10′ most distant from bottom edge 36; for package10′, top edge 30′ is the tip of tamper-evident structure 40. Preferably,each of first side edge 32 and second side edge 34 is a fold linebetween the side panels, which are formed when a single sheet of film isfolded. The single sheet of film is sealed at seam 13, shown in phantom,and at bottom seal 31.

[0021] In FIGS. 3 and 4, package 10′ includes tamper-evident structure40 positioned over and encasing zipper closure 20. By “tamper-evident”,it is meant that it provides an indication to the consumer as to whetherthe package 10 has been previously opened. In order to access zipperclosure 20 and interior 11 of package 10, the tamper-evident structure40 needs to be penetrated. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4,tamper-evident structure 40 covers and forms a complete enclosure aroundthe zipper closure 20; tamper-evident structure 40 encases and otherwisesurrounds zipper closure 20.

[0022] Tamper-evident structure 40 is formed by sealing the tops of sidepanels 12, 14 over zipper closure 20. Preferably, the seal 43 (FIG. 4)which forms tamper-evident structure 40 is continuous; that is, with nounsealed portions between side panels 12, 14 along top edge 30′.However, in some embodiments spot sealing may be acceptable. Each end oftamper-evident structure 40, that is, at first side edge 32 and atsecond side edge 34, is preferably continuously sealed.

[0023] In order to gain access to zipper closure 20 and package interior11, the tamper-evident structure 40 needs to be penetrated.Tamper-evident structure 40 can include a feature such as a perforationline 42, a tear-bead, a zip-strip, a score-line, a die line, a region ofhighly oriented material, or other type of weakened area that allows foreasy removal of tamper-evident structure 40 to expose zipper closure 20.Once tamper-evident structure 40 of package 10′ has been removed, theresulting package is that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as package 10.

[0024] Various modifications of tamper-evident structures are knownthroughout the art of resealable packaging. For example, a secondtamper-evident structure, such as a web, can extend between sealingflanges 26, 28 (FIGS. 2 and 4), thus providing a second barrier tobroken in order to gain access to interior 11 of package 10, 10′.Examples of web tamper-evident structures are disclosed, for example, inU.S. Pat. Nos. 4,925,316 and 5,964,532, each of which is incorporated byreference herein.

[0025] Similarly, a peel seal can be positioned between sealing flanges26, 28 of zipper closure 20 or between side panels 12, 14 to provide ahermetic barrier for the interior 11. A peel seal can be resealable;that is, it can be opened and resealed multiple times. Alternately, apeel seal can be a single use seal, which, once broken, cannot beresealed. Examples of peel seals are disclosed, for example, in U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,925,316 and 5,893,645, each of which is incorporated byreference herein. These internal tamper-evident structures, i.e., thosetamper-evident structures between the zipper closure 20 and packageinterior 11, can be used with or without an external tamper-evidentstructure, such as structure 40 (FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0026] The packages described and disclosed in FIGS. 1 through 4 can bemanufactured by vertical form, fill and seal techniques in accordancewith the present disclosure. The package, whether with or without atamper-evident structure 40 or an internal structure such as a web or apeel seal, is manufactured, filled, and sealed by a single process thatincludes multiple sequential steps. The zipper closure 20 and anyoptional features, such as tamper-evident structure 40, are applied tothe package prior to the package being filled with any items.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 5, a vertical form, fill and seal process, inaccordance with the present disclosure, is shown at 100. As illustratedin FIG. 5, the process line progresses from right to left; that is, thefinal filled package is at the left side of FIG. 5. It should beunderstood that other orientations of process 100 can be used with theteachings of the present disclosure; for example, the process canprogress from left to right. The bag or package is manufactured in avertical orientation so that the filling takes place through the “upperend” of the package, as it is manufactured. The “upper end” of thepackage, as manufactured, may be bottom edge 36 of package 10 or may bemouth 21.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 5, the process to manufacture and fill packages10, 10′ of FIGS. 1 through 4 will be described. Polymeric film 110,which will provide the side panels 12, 14 (FIGS. 1 through 4), isprovided on roll 101. The width of polymeric film 110 is the distancebetween film edges 110 a, 110 b, which is approximately equal to twicethe width of package 10; the distance between film edges 110 a, 110 b isapproximately twice the distance between side edge 32 and side edge 34.In another embodiment, film 110 may be extruded, cast or otherwiseformed immediately before this vertical form, fill and seal process,thereby eliminating the step of winding the film after forming the filmand then unwinding when the packages are made.

[0029] An extended length of zipper closure 20, with first closureprofile 22 (FIGS. 2 and 4) and second closure profile 24 (FIGS. 2 and 4)interlocked, is provided via spool 102. Zipper closure 10 may beextruded, cast or otherwise formed immediately before this verticalform, fill and seal process, thereby eliminating the step of winding thezipper closure after forming the film and then unwinding when thepackages are made.

[0030] In accordance with the present disclosure, zipper closure 20 iscut to a length approximately equal to the width of the resultingpackage; the resulting cut zipper segment is depicted at 25 in FIG. 5.That is, zipper closure 20 is cut to the length needed to extend betweenside edge 32 and side edge 34 of packages 10, 10′ (FIGS. 1 and 3), asdescribed below. Further in accordance with the present disclosure, thetwo mating profiles 22, 24 (FIGS. 2 and 4) are sealed together at theends 25 a, 25 b of the cut zipper segment 25. The ends 25 a, 25 b of themating profiles 22, 24 may be sealed together either before, after or aszipper closure 20 is cut to the desired length to form zipper segment25. Ends 25 a, 25 b are sealed together prior to zipper segment 25 beingsealed to film 110, as will be explained further below.

[0031] As depicted in FIG. 5, zipper closure 20 from spool 102progresses to sealing station 120, which provides heat and pressure topre-seal or seal together first and second mating profiles 22, 24 (FIGS.2 and 4) of zipper closure 20. Ultrasonic energy can alternately oradditionally be used to pre-seal or seal the ends 25 a, 25 b. As usedherein, the terms “seal” and “pre-seal” mean that two pieces, such asfirst and second mating profiles 22, 24, are adhered to each other, atleast with a temporary bond, preferably with a permanent bond. In someinstances, the thickness of first and second mating profiles 22, 24 maybe thinner where pre-sealing is done by sealing station 120 than whereno pre-sealing has occurred.

[0032] Sealing station 120 includes a pair of first sealing bars, bottomfirst sealing bar 121 and top first sealing bar 122, and a pair ofsecond sealing bars, bottom second sealing bar 123 and top secondsealing bar 124. These sealing bars 121, 122, 123, 124 apply heat,pressure, ultrasonics, or any combination thereof to zipper closure 20at the areas where they contact zipper closure 20. The energy applied bysealing bars 121, 122, 123, 124 is sufficient to at least pre-seal firstand second mating profiles 22, 24 of zipper closure 20 together.Preferably, this pre-sealing or sealing of first and second matingprofiles 22, 24 is done at ends 25 a, 25 b. First sealing bars 121, 122are spaced from second sealing bars 123, 124 a distance equal to thelength of the cut zipper closure segment 25, which is essentially thesame length as the width of the resulting package 10, 10′ between sideedges 32, 34. The resulting length of zipper closure 20 is one that hasseals disposed along its length; the seals are spaced to correspond towhere the zipper closure 20 will eventually meet side edges 32, 34 ofpackage 10, 10′. Thus, each length of zipper closure 20, which isapproximately the same as the width of the resulting package, has a sealbetween the mating profiles 22, 24 at each end 25 a, 25 b of a zippersegment 25.

[0033] In some embodiments, zipper closure 20 may be cut to a lengthslightly shorter than the distance between side edges 32, 34; this maybe done if zipper closure 20 has a tendency to stretch or otherwisedistort during the pre-sealing, cutting, and positioning processes, aswill be described below.

[0034] The seals produced on zipper closure 20 by sealing bars 121, 122,123, 124 may be formed by only one pair of sealing bars or by both sets.That is, a seal may be formed by being contacted by only one pair offirst sealing bars 121, 122 and second sealing bars 123, 124; or, a sealmay be formed by being contacted by both pairs 121,122,123,124 ofsealing bars. The number of contacts by the sealing bars, and thetemperature and duration of contact are dependent on the speed at whichthe process progresses.

[0035] Nip rolls can be used incrementally pull the sealed zipperclosure 20 to cutter 112, which cuts zipper closure 20 to its finallength at the produced heat seals. Preferably, each seal is cut throughthe center by cutter 1112. Examples of features that can be present oncutter 112 include a sharp edge, such as a knife blade, a heated edge,and ultrasonic vibration. In some embodiments, second sealing bars 123,124 may be designed to at least partially cut through zipper closure 20at the heat seal produced by those bars. This can eliminate the need fora separate cutter 112.

[0036] The cut zipper closure 20 is positioned onto film 110 betweenfilm side edges 110 a, 110 b by profile positioner 114. Profilepositioner 114 may include a gripper 116 that actually grabs zipperclosure 20 and pulls zipper closure 20 onto film 110. The cut length ofzipper closure 20 is positioned on a portion of film 110 so that zipperclosure 20 is approximately centered on film 110; this results in seam13 (FIGS. 1 and 3) positioned approximately equally between first sideedge 32 and second side edge 34. Zipper closure 20 will be centered onfilm 110 if the midpoint of zipper closure is equally positioned betweenside edges 110 a, 110 b of film 110. In some embodiments, zipper closure20 can be positioned more to one edge of the film 110, for example edge110 a, than the other edge; this would result in seam 13 beingpositioned more to first side edge 32 or second side edge 34 of package10, 10′ than the other. Yet in further embodiments, zipper closure 20can be positioned to extend from side edge 110 a of film 110 toapproximately its centerline; with such an arrangement seam 13 will bepositioned essentially at one of first and second side edges 32, 34.

[0037] A profile applicator 118 adheres, at least temporarily andpreferably, permanently, zipper closure 20 to film 110 at the pointwhere profile positioner 114 positions zipper closure 20. Profileapplicator 118 can use heat, pressure, ultrasonics, or any combinationto adhere zipper closure 20 to film 110. Only one half of zipper closure20, that is, the side positioned on film 110, is attached to film 110 byprofile applicator. It is one of sealing flanges 26, 28 (FIGS. 2 and 4)that is sealed to film 110.

[0038] Various rollers, guides, tensioners, and the like can be usedthroughout process 100 to guide zipper closure 20 and film 110 and tosecure the attachment of zipper closure 20 onto film 110.

[0039] Once the zipper closure 20 is attached to film 110, film 110moves to column 128 that folds film 110 and provides structure to film110 during the following steps of the vertical form, fill and sealprocess. Items to be packaged within the resulting package 10, 10′ aredeposited into the package through column 128.

[0040] Film 110 is folded around column 128 so that side edges 110 a,110 b are brought together. There may be a slight overlap of side edges110 a, 110 b. The folded film 110 with the zipper closure 20 progressesto seaming station 130, which provides seam 13 (FIGS. 1 and 3) by theapplication of heat, pressure, or both to the joined film side edges 110a, 110 b. Seaming station 130 includes first seaming bar 131 and secondseaming bar 132; either one, or both of which may be heated. Seamingbars 131, 132 extend essentially parallel to column 128 and film sideedges 110 a, 110 b, and essentially perpendicular to zipper closure 20.Once seam 13 is produced, film 110 is in the form of a tube or casement140. Seam 13 is typically perpendicular to zipper closure 20. The tubeor casement 140 results in side panels 12, 14 of package 10, 10′.

[0041] Tube 140, with zipper closure 20 adhered to the inside of half ofthe tube material, progresses to sealing bars 134, 135. Sealing bars134, 135 provide heat and pressure transversely across tube 140.

[0042] Process 100 can be adapted to form the packages in an upright oran upside down position. That is, the packages can be made with bottomseal 31 made first, so that the package is filled at the top, close tothe mouth 21 of package 10, and then the top at zipper closure 20 issealed. Alternately, the packages can be made with a top seal at zipperclosure first, so that the packages are filled through the bottom edge36, and then the bottom seal 31 is made. In either orientation, theprocess providing the package is similar.

[0043]FIG. 5 shows package 10′ being manufactured in an upside downposition with zipper closure 20 positioned downward so that the upperend of the package is bottom edge 36. When manufactured in an upsidedown position, sealing bars 134, 135 first securely seal both sides ofzipper closure 20 (i.e., flanges 26, 28 (FIG. 4)) to the film tube 140.Sealing bars 134, 135 may be constructed to simultaneously formtamper-evident structure 40 (FIGS. 3 and 4) over zipper closure 20. Thisintermediate package is then filled with items deposited through column128, and bottom seal 31 is made.

[0044] Sealing bars 134, 135 can be adapted for various processingprocedures. As mentioned above, sealing bars 134, 135, or other similarsealing bars, can be used to create a tamper-evident structure overzipper closure 20, such as tamper-evident structure 40 of FIG. 3.Sealing bars 134, 135 can be designed to seal the film of tube 140 overzipper closure 20, thereby encasing zipper closure 20 and creatingtamper-evident structure 40 (FIG. 3). A perforator system or othersystem can be incorporated into sealing bars 134, 135 to provide aperforation, score, or other weakness in the film 140 that allowstamper-evident structure 40 to be removed to gain access the zipperclosure 20 when the package is opened by the consumer. In someembodiments, it may be desired to provide a perforated or weakened areain the film as an individual step, rather than simultaneously with thecreation of the seals. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, sealing bars 134,135 can simultaneously seal zipper closure 20 to tube 140 and also formbottom seal 31 of the adjacent package. In some embodiments, differentsealing bars may be used to form bottom seal 31 than are used to sealzipper closure 20 to the film web 140. Sealing bars 134, 135 can also beadapted to cut apart and separate adjacent packages.

[0045] In some embodiments, the process of the present inventionincludes production of packages that have no tamper-evident structure 40external to the zipper closure 20. Rather, only an internaltamper-evident structure, or no tamper-evident structure is present. Asone example of an internal tamper-evident structure, a zipper closure 20can be produced as a single piece, with the sealing flange 26 of thefirst mating profile connected to the sealing flange 28 of the secondprofile by an extension of film or web. Once incorporated into apackage, the connecting piece between the sealing flanges is an internaltamper-evident structure. Another example of an internal tamper-evidentstructure is a peel seal, which can be present between the sealingflanges of the mating profiles when the zipper closure 20 is on spool102.

[0046] The above specification is believed to provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of particular embodiments of theinvention. Many embodiments of the invention can be made.

What is claimed:
 1. A method of manufacturing a reclosable packagecomprising a zipper closure construction, the reclosable package havinga width and the zipper closure extending the width of the package, themethod comprising: (a) providing a zipper closure having a lengthapproximately equal to the package width, the length defined by a firstend and a second end, the zipper closure having a first mating profileand a second mating profile; (b) sealing the first mating profile to thesecond mating profile at the first end and at the second end to providefirst and second end seals; (c) after the step of providing the zipperclosure having a length approximately equal to the package width andafter the step of sealing the first mating profile to the second matingprofile, attaching the first mating profile to a first portion of a filmweb; (d) attaching the second mating profile to a second portion of thefilm web; (e) joining a first side edge and a second side edge of thefilm web approximately perpendicular to the zipper closure to form acasement; (f) forming a bottom edge to provide an interior defined bythe casement and the bottom edge; and (g) forming a top edge.
 2. Themethod according to claim 1, further comprising, between the step offorming a bottom edge to provide an interior defined by the casement andthe bottom edge and the step of forming a top edge: (a) filling thepackage interior.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the stepof forming a top edge is done before the step of forming a bottom edgeto provide an interior defined by the casement and the bottom edge. 4.The method according to claim 3, further comprising, between the step offorming a top edge and the step of forming a bottom edge to provide aninterior defined by the casement and the bottom edge: (a) filling theinterior.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step ofproviding a closure construction having a length approximately equal tothe package width comprises: (a) cutting an extended length of closureconstruction to a length approximately equal to the package width. 6.The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of sealing the firstmating profile to the second mating profile at the first end and at thesecond end to provide first and second end seals is done before the stepof providing a zipper closure having a length approximately equal to thepackage width, the length defined by a first end and a second end. 7.The method according to claim 6, wherein the step of providing a closureconstruction having a length approximately equal to the package widthcomprises: (a) cutting at least partially through the first and secondend seals.
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step ofcutting at least partially through the first and second end sealscomprises: (a) cutting through the first and second end seals with ablade.
 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of cuttingat least partially through the first and second end seals isaccomplished by a sealing bar used to provide at least one of first andsecond end seals.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the stepof attaching the first mating profile to a first portion of a film webcomprises: (a) attaching the first mating profile to a first portion ofthe film web equally between the first side edge and the second sideedge of the film.
 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the stepof forming a top edge comprises: (a) providing a tamper-evidentstructure over the zipper closure to indicate whether access has beengained to the zipper closure.
 12. The method according to claim 11,wherein the step of providing a tamper-evident structure over the zipperclosure to indicate whether access has been gained to the zipper closurecomprises: (a) providing a tamper-evident structure comprising aperforation.
 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step ofjoining a first side edge and a second side edge of the film web to forma casement is done before the step of attaching the second matingprofile to a second portion of the film web.
 14. A method of making andfilling a reclosable package comprising a zipper closure construction,the reclosable package having a width and the zipper closure extendingthe width of the package, the method comprising: (a) providing a zipperclosure segment having: (i) a first mating profile and a second matingprofile; (ii) a length approximately equal to the package width, thelength defined by a first end and a second end; (iii) the first matingprofile being sealed to the second mating profile at the first end andat the second end at first and second end seals, respectively; (b)attaching the first mating profile of the zipper closure segment to afirst portion of a film web; (c) after the step of attaching the firstmating profile to a first portion of a film web, joining first andsecond edges of the film web approximately perpendicular to the zipperclosure segment to form a casement; (d) attaching the second matingprofile of the zipper closure segment to a second portion of the filmweb; (e) forming a top edge to provide an interior defined by thecasement and the bottom edge; the top edge comprising a tamper-evidentstructure encasing the zipper closure; (f) filling the package interior;and (g) forming a bottom edge.
 15. The method according to claim 14wherein the step of providing a zipper closure segment having a lengthapproximately equal to the package width, the length defined by a firstend and a second end, comprises: (a) cutting an extended length ofzipper closure to a length approximately equal to the package width toprovide a zipper closure segment.
 16. A reclosable package madeaccording to claim
 14. 17. The reclosable package according to claim 16,the package comprising: (a) first and second side panel sections, thefirst and second side panel sections having first and second side edgesand a bottom edge, the side edges and bottom edge defining an interior;(b) a zipper closure sealed to the first and second side panel sectionsalong a top edge of the side panel sections; and (c) a tamper-evidentstructure encasing the zipper closure.
 18. The reclosable packageaccording to claim 17, further comprising an internal tamper-evidentstructure extending between the first and second side panel sections andpositioned between the zipper closure and the package interior.